SPLENDID ADVANCES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 5, 1 October 1918, Page 5

SPLENDID ADVANCES

THE THRUST AT CAMBRAI

V NEW ZEALANDERS CAPTURE WELSH RIDGE

FLANDERS .RIDGES

BULGARIA'S PEACE OFFER

CONSTERNATION IN GERMANY

,The war budget to-day is full off great and inspiring news. On the Western front,' beginning with the northern flank of the long Allied line from the'sea to the Vosges, the British and Belgianforces have niado excellent progress bWen Ypres and Dixnnide, and capturod over 5000 prisoners. Tho Flanders ridges havo been - retaken. Further south' the operations on the Cambrai front have carried the Allies to the outskirts of the town, and news of its fall may be expected at any time. ,On the French-American line good progress is also recorded.- Foch's strategy is bearing valuable fruit. Laon is menaced by flank operations. There are no fresh developments in the Bulgarian situation, . the political side /of which must necessarily continue in a state of suspense pending full consultation .end agreement amongst the Allies ini regard to the peace proposal. . In tho aer-ntime the military operations are being energetically pressed (forward with fresh successes, .' . • .; ■ PASSCHENDAELE AND MESSINES • ..'.RIDGES RETAKEN FALL OF CAMBRAI IMMINENT FOCH'S STRATEGY BEARING FRUIT . Uy Telegraph-Press Aswolatfon-OopyrlKht. London, September 29. The Belgians have captured the-Passchendaele Ridge and Messines. There are indications that the enemy is retiring from the Chemin des Dames. The French have captured the highest point of the ridge. There is severo. fighting on the Cambrai sector. Tho St. Quentin push is going well, and the . troops have crossed tho canal at Bellicourt.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. '■ THE BATTLE FOR CAMBRAI STIMING STORY OF .THE-ADVANCE. (Rec. September 30, 11 p.m.) . .-, ■ ' Y ■-■■■-■■■■'■■ . London, September 29. Reuter's correspondent at British Headquarters, writing on tho evening of September 29, says: "This morning's attack by tho Fourth Army did r,ot surprise the enemy, being preceded by a forty-eight hours' bombardment. A largo force of Americans advanced with the first waves, while a big concouTso of tanks moved forward, mainly en six thousand yards ' of front south' of Vendhuille. The weather was fine, with a light mist. The Americans, using the Vendhuille gap ae a bridge, stormed forward, deploying fanwise. The British division crossed the waterway in magnificent style, many, of the men swimming under maohine-gun fire, and entered the village of Belle Eglise. The first phase of the battle ended by nine o'clock. After a pause a dramatic incident mnrked the resumption of the attack. The Americans opened their ranks, while the Australians, who had been moving up to support them, swept through, formed- the first wave, and renewed the attack, amid a -'storm of cheering. Hard fighting occurred* at many places 'where'the Germans had established redoubts of great strength. • Strong positions' south-west of Cambrai were attacked dashingly by the New Zealonders, who drove a wedge into, the enemy's line and took 1000 prisoners. The Canadians early in the morning wero approaching Ramilles, and were due north of the town and astride important communications. As the morning advanced it became clear that the battle was developing into a fing victory. Le Catelet,: the key to the position of the whole sector from Bellicourt to Bandux, was captured by twelve o'clock.. We. are astride' the St. Qiientin-Cani-brai railway in many places, seriously restricting tho enemy's communications. Important-fortified'villages were carried in rapid succession. La Vacqiierie, Mauroy, Bony, and Villers Guislain were taken early in the battle. "The Belgians further north entered Staden, recaptured Houthukt rillage, and now hold the entire West Roosebeke-t'assehendaele ridgo system. Thence the line.of the Second Army this :morning ran near Zonnebeke,. Kerscela-rs, and Zanvoorde, and possibly through Houthem to the Wytr Pchaete-Mesaines ridge. The Belgians'hitherto have taken prisoner over five thousand, and we have over four thousand." , : Later Developments Writing on Saturday morning, the correspondent says: "In yesterday's battle on the Cambrai front tho whole of our objectives were won to an extreme depth of five miles, through the most formidable and intricate network of defences the war has yet j-roduced. .So'remarkable was our progress that we brought up not'only our field batteries but the heavy sixty-pounders to the edge of Bounon Wood, raking it before the Germans had completed their withdrawal. Our covering tactics were bo admirable that large i bodies of the enemy were taken in rear. The tanks were most useful in clearing the machine-giiii nests mid quelling the street fighting in Bourlon village. .Cambrai now lies at our feet, dominated by our field guns. ) "Prisoners report the greatest confusion in the enemy reserves, who s,rc hopelessly scattered and mixed with other units. There is a continuous stream of enemy transports eastward and fires behind the German, lines. Our troops Tested at night-time in the capacious shelters of the Hindenburg system."— Renter. FALL OF CAMBRAI IMMINENT (Rec. September 30, 10 p.m.) London, September ?9. The Australian Press Association comspoiident learns that the iall of Cambuii is only a'matter of time owing to the capture of sevorel impoitiint points.. There is every likelihood of St. Quentin falling, us the Allies 4avo gained an importacit footing on the eastern side of tho underground canal near Bellicourt. The advance between Ypres and Dixinudo reached a depth of four miles, ar.d yielded six thousand prisoners.—Aus.-N.Z. Cahle Assn. AUSTRALIANS AND. AMERICANS.IN THE VAN. (Rec. September 30, 11.30 p.m.) London, September 30. Mr. Philip Gibbs saye: "The Australians and Americans stormed the canal astrido Bellicourt and established bridges despite a heavy barrago, and went ahead with tanks towards the no.:t organised line of German resistance, known a3 the Mnsnierce-Beau R-evoir line."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. 200,000 PRISONERS SINCE JULY 18 „ ■'' (Rec. September 30; 11.30 p.m.) Paris, September 29. Since July 18 the Allies havo taken ov«r 200.000 prisoners, 3000-guns, 20,000 mnfhiiie-giins, and. huge quantities of material. Tlicso figures do not include tho Palestine, Macedonian, and Mcsopotnmian fronts.—Router. OVER -10,000 IN LAST THREE DAYS. (R«c. September 30,11.35 p.m.) . New York, September '29. Reports from France state that tl;e French, British, _ Americans, and Belgians havo captured over forty thousand prisoners during tho past threo days.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ j AMERICAN ATTACK ON THE HINDENBURG LINE (Rec. September 30, 7.35 p.m.) New York, September 20. She United Press' Paris correspondent states: —"Tho Americans attacked the Hindenburg line from Le Catelet to north o'f Gricourt."—Aue.-N.Z. Cable ' Assn.

A DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TASK

OPENING MOVE OF THE ATTACK ON OAMBBAI FBONT.

London, September 28. , Mr. Porcival Phillips writes: "To-day the attack on tho Hindenburg lino is more difficult and dangerous than it was last November. Tim plan was to strike eastward across the canal, and then northwards. The front lay parallel to tho canal, the crossing of which was one of tho most remarkable feats of our offensive.- The canal is sixteen feet deep and seventy feet wide at tho top, nnd tho deep mud rendered it passablo only at certain points. Surface bridges were impossible, and tlio sides were too steep in many places for dropping or climbling. The enemy had every yard under range, and the Bourlon Wood , gave the most complete observation of our movements. Everything depended on our first rush. An officer said on Thursday. night: 'Givo us fifteen minutes and all will be all right.' The men had to be assembled at night. Scaling-ladders were brought up and slung down and over at the precise moment. The first handful of intrepid soldiers which descended the yawning chasm bore more ladders with which to scale tho face of the canal, and also their heavy packs and loads of bombs to faco the enemy's machinegunners. It seemed certain death to the men assembling on the eve of tho attack. Everything depended on those fifteen minutes in which the attackers must descend the dark pit and reacli the other sido after a breathless rush, and yot they must have breath enough to begin their fight for life on the other side. Here was an ordeal far m ore exacting and dangerous than merely going 'over tho top.' All Went Well. "The men went on to victory without a mishap and without a pause. The Canadians, after the passage of the ciinal at Inchy, had two miles before them. They strode in an almost leisurely way up tho slopes in the direction of the Bourlon Wood. It was open country, with several systems of fragmentary trenches. These were emergency lines, inferior to the Siegried fortress line. The Canadians went through tJiom easily enough, and reached tho edge of tho wood to schedule time. Meanwhile the British battalions on the Canadians' right crossed tho bottle-neck of the canal near Moeuvres with ■ the greatest swiftness, and before the enemy was able to put-down <v barrage had passed the Hindenburg support line. Then some wheeled to tho south behind it, towards Graincourt, and had swept the area clear before 10 o'clock, reaching the Bapaumo-Cambrai Road.' Other British troops which crossed the canal betweon the Moeuyres and the Cambrai-Bapanmo Road met with considerable resistance from- the machine-gun nests. These, garrisons were not aware that they were already surrounded from the north, but they surrendered when they found they wero between two fires. Germans at Flesquieres Ridge had faced south, expecting an attack from the south, as in November, but before wo came to close quarters they found that tho Bourlon Wood behind them was full of Canadians. The enemy artillery was active until 10 o'clock, but practically ceased after that, and 'had evidently .withdrawn. The enemy aeroplane's were unusually energetic, the low flyers attempting to machine-gun the infantry. Comparatively few prisoners wero taken in the morning. It seems certain that tho enemy had withdrawn some troops during the night.'—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

HEAVY FIGHTING AROUND SOMME-PY London, September 28. Renter's correspondent at French Headquarters writes: "Wo have now arrived at the enemy's main line of resistance, which is hardest around Somme-Py, on the river Py. The arrival of the infantry on the river marks the successful termination of the first phase of the attack, which is being pressed with unremitting vigour. The advance was made over five or six miles of extraordinarily difficult ground. The loss of the series of hills inthe vicinity cost the Germans most heavy losses in killed, besides nearly eight thousand prisoners. The chain of positions captured is exceedingly strong, the French having to storm a naked, wall of bluffs which the enemy had been fortifying for years, and of which every inch had been trenched. By noon the French had crossed thirty lines of trenches. The hardest fighting was round Tahure. The French 75's' and 6-inch guns played a most important part in'the'battle, being brought to within a few thousand yards of the front in astonishing numbers, unperceived by the enemy."—Renter.

IMPORTANT SUCCESSES BY THE FRENCH ', FOCH'S STRATEGY BEARING FRUIT. (Rec. September 30, 11.30 p.m.) ■ London, September 29. Reuter's correspondent at Trench Headquarters states: "The French are steadily advancing and capturing new ground. There are numerous fires behind the German lines. The Anglo-Belgian .attack in the north, couplod with tho Franco-American attack in Clianipagne, the Argonne, and on the Mouse, has compelled the enemy to defend on a much vaster scale a pocket such as those which brought him disaster at the Marne and on the Avre." In a- later message he says: ''The whole of the enemy's front from St. Quentin to Reims has becomo a salient, the bases of which are being vigorously attacked on both sides. On both wings tho enemy is fighting with the energy of despair as he retreats. As the result of Mangin's advance- yester? day tho whole- of the Malmnitson plateau and tho western end of tho Chemin des Dames is in our possession. Theenemy is abandoning the approaches to the massif of St. Gobain and the Laon Plateau, a group of heights which, for four years, has formed the central pillar of his lino in Ernnco. Eoch's strategy compels him, as it did at the Marnc, to withdraw his centre before the Allies' attacks from the north and the cast forced him to withdraw his wings. This retreat is the first fruit of the British-FrancD-American offonsive of the last three days."-—Reuter. OFFICIAL REPORTS THE NEW OFFENSIVE IN FLANDERS London, September 29. A Belgian communique states: "At dawn on Saturday tho Belgian wing attacked the German positions between Dixmudo and north of Ypres. The attack began with a violent artillery preparation, lasting some hours, in which, in co-operation with the Belgian batteries, numerous French and 'British batterios took part, as well as 13ritish warships, which bombarded the coast defenses of tho enemy "and vulnerable points in his communications. After this preparation our infantry moved forward to attack the strongly organised German positions, rivalling with each other in courage. Our troops carried all the organisations of the defensive lines in tho onemy's front position, and passed cm without a- stop to attack the second strongly organised position. In spite of the enemy's resistance and a vain counter-attack which was launched, particularly nstrido the railway to Stailen, our infantry captured practically tho wholo of tho floultlm Ist .Forest zone, which tho (lermans had strongly fortified during the last four years, and all tho ground extending to the. line marked by the localities of Woumen, Dierkenshoek, Shaap Btilie, and Broodesynde. Tho advance made is about six kilometres (four miles). Numerous prisoners have been brought in, the total for tho Belgians being four thousand. The guns have not yet been counted; thoy include ;i complete battery and its crew, as well as some guns of very large calibre. Considerable material has been captured, and the number of German dead lying on the field gives evidence of tho enemy's losses."—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn.-Ileutor. BRITISH ATTACK ON ST. QUENTIN SECTOR HEAVY FIGHTING ON EXTENDED FRONT. London, September 29.' Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The British and Americans attacked northwest of St. Quentin this morning. Tho British have taken 16,000 prisoners since Friday morning. London, September 29, 2.10 p.m. - Sir Douglas Haig reports: "The British and Americans attacked at. 5.50 this morning, north-west'of St. Quentin. The battle is proceeding fiercely on the whole front from St. Quentin to the Scarpe. There was heavy fighting yesterday about Gonnclieu and Welsh Ridge. We made progress on the high ground south-west of Gonnelieu, but were pressed back slightly at Welsh lUdge. Wo attacked this morning, and made progress at Marcoing. Wβ enlarged our bridgehead position eastward of tho Canal do I'Escauß, and drovo off a hostile counter-attack. More to the northward English naval units established themselves east of the Escaultßiver, opposite Cantaing. Northward of tho Bapaume-Cambrai Road the Canadians took possession of the defence system known as the Marcoing-Masnieres Hue, as far north as Sailly. The English completed the capture of Aubencheul-au-Bac and Palleul, and are fighting in Arleux. We. crossed the.Trinquis River, in the neighbourhood of Sailly-on-Ostrevent. Tho operations on the Oombrai battlefront havo progressed favourably. On the right tho Fifth and Forty-second Divisions had heavy fighting last night about Beaucanip Ridgo, where the enemy counterattacked" strongly iu the morning. They overcame the enemy resistance in this locality and pressed forward two miles ,h»yond, '.capturing the highly organised defences called the Highlands and the Welsh Ridges. Later tho succors extended south, and we captured GouzeaUeourt. Tho Sixty-second Yorkshire Division captured Marcoing, and progressed south-cast of that place. The Fifth Battalion (Duke of Wellington's) forced tlio crossings of the Canal <lo l'Escault, at MarcoingJ and established its P lf in the Gorman defences on the cist bank north of Marcoing. The Second nuf] Fifty-seventh Lancashire Division cleared the west haul; of the canal as fj>r north as Lα Follie Wood, ami oajrtiirod Xoyoll'e-sur-Esciiult, Cantaing and Fontaine Notre Dame. Tho Lnncashires nrepro,':ressin!£castof co-operating with the Canadians north of the Banaume-Camhrni Road. j-Toro tho cnomv resisted strongly, and lost heavily in killed and prisoners. North of t.he Arnis-Cambrai Road tho Canadians and English troons are stwdilv advancing on the east and north. Strong hostile counter-attacks at RaiUenoourt yesterday eveninc ivero beaten back with loss. To-day the Canadians took possession of R-iillencourt and Siiilly. and also thn trench system runninc, through them villages, and more to the nortlu Tho Fifty-sixth London Division -entered Pnlloul. Tho prisoners and guns captured continue to increase. Our aeroplanes heavily machinegunned eneii'Y troops pnd transport at t'-o canal crossings and on tho roads. Wo destroyed eight- balloons, shnt down twenty-three aeroplanes, and drovo floH'ii U'PiJty out of control. Nineteen cf nur inn-rhinos are missing. "-—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn .-Router. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The High Commissioner reports:— London, Swilombor 29, 2.10 a.m. Sir Douclas Hnic reports: "Tills mr-mni' successful fiirlitiiiir was extended iiloii". n front of 30 miloc. frnm St. O'lnntin to the. Soiikpp River. The Nrw Zonhindcrs cleared the Welsh ride, hr-ikinp n lin.st.ilr counter-atinck. and irlvancilif. rsmtiirivl Lavs-qncrii and the spur between llonnvis and Mnsuiorns. The uiival divisions thn souHif-n, anil tho Canadinns penetrated thn nortli-wpst outskirts of Cambrai. We have captured in throe days 22 000 prisoners and 300 guns." IN THE CHAMPAGNE AND NORTH OF THE AISNE FRENCH ADVANCE STEADILY MAINTAINED. London, September 20. A French communique states: "Our repeated attacks on (ho plateaux north of tho Aisno finally forced tho enemy to retire towards the Ailotlo, and we nre pursuing the German rearguards. East of tho Aisnc at Alternant

and Jouy we occupied tho village'and the southern outskirts of the Forest of Pinon, and captured Vaudessoii, Chavignon, and Fort Malmaison. Further south we mado considerable progress on the plateau north of Vailly. Tho Germans in the Champagne furiously counter-attacked on our right, and desperato fighting is proceeding in tho Boueonvillo region, aud on tho heights south of Gratreuil our troops iu tho centre and on the left continued to progress, particularly north of the Challerauge railway, and captured Manre. Wo reached the eastern outskirts of Sto. Maric-a-Py. Our losses wero slight." Lator. A French communique states: "North of the Aisne the pursuit was continued. We occupied the Forest of Pinon, and reached tho, Ailette in this region, and also east of Chavignon. On the Ostel-Chavonno front, the enemy is strongly resisting our advance. In-the Champagne, violent attacks launched by the enemy yesterday were broken, and we resumed our progress,, particularly north of Grateuil, whore wo gained possession of the Bellevue heights."—Aiis.-jNT.Z. Oablo Assn.-Router. HIGH COMMISSIONERS REPORT. The High Commissioner reports:— London, September 30, 2.10 a.m. A French official report states: "Between the Ailetto and the Aisne we effected an advance of over'a mile on both sides of tho Chemin-dee-Dames, and occupied Pragyn; Filain, and Ohtel. On the Champagne front wo obtained important results." ON THE AMERICAN FRONT OVER TWENTY TOWNS AND ENORMOUS BOOTY. London, September '28. An American communique states: "Our attack continues successfully. Today we advanced despite- heavy infantry, artillery, and machine-gunfire, and reached the outskirts of Breulles and Exermont. Wo have captured over twenty towns, and enormous quantities of material. The number of our prisoners increases. The- American iiviators command the air. They brought down twelve balloons and more than sixty aeroplanes. The American aeroplanes missing number under twenty. Despite the unfavourable wenther, our aviators successfully executed their missions."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-R-euter. THE ENEMY'S REPORT (Eec. September 30, 7.15 p.m.) J London, September 29, 7.15 p.m. A wireless German official report states: "The Anglo-Belgian forces attacked from southward of Dixmude as far as Wulverghom. They captured our crater positions and in places advanced into our artillery lines, •Wβ held tho Wytschaeto heights against repeated attacks. We withdrew westward of Cambrai owing to the loss of the canal positions astride Marquion. Wo withdrew behind tho Oise-Aisno Canal between Anizy-le-Chateau and Bonrg. The French have captured Som me Py- We withdrew in the Argonne as far as the region south-east di Binarville. Southward of Apremontthe Americans pressed us back as far as Cunel Wood: and Fays."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.Eeuter. THE WAR IN THE AIR WITH THE BELGIAN OFFENSIVE. (Roc. September 30, 11 p.m.) London, September 29. The Press Bureau reports: "Aeroplanes attached to tho Navy, co-operat-ing in the Belgian offensive, dropped thirteen tons of bombs on Saturday, and set on fire two trains, destroyed two ammunition dumps, and attacked massed motor transports and a battery. Our low-flyers inflicted casualties ou infantry concentrations, horse gun teams, and other formations. Tho aeroplanes successfully carried out spotting work for four British monitors which were shelling the coast defences. They encountered during the latte-r part of the day large formations of aircraft well on tho enemy's side of the lines, and destroyed four and drove down four out of control. Thirteen British machines aro missing, the majority of which had rot returned from tho enemy's lines after a sudden violent rain storm."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . BELGIAN KING'S EXHORTATION TO VICTORY

(Rec. September 30, 10 p.m.) Paris, September 29. King Albert personally commanded the Belgians. Prior to the attack lie issued an order: "Soldiers, it is tot you to hurl back the invader who has oppressed your brothers for over' four, years. The hour is decisive. Germany everywhere is falling backward. Forward for right and liberty and for glorious and immortal Belgium I" SAWED-OFP SHOT GUNS GERMAN ULTIMATUM TO AMERICA. (R«c. September 30,11.35 p.m.) New York, September 29. The New York "Tinrcs's" Washington correspondent states that Germany has sent an ultimatum to the United States objecting to the American soldiers using sawed-olf shot-guns. The United Sta.tes officials say that The- Haguo Convention does not forbid their use. If Germany starts reprisals, two can play at.that game. Germany threatens to shoot any American soldiers captured with sawed-off sliot-guns or ammunition if a satisfactory reply is not received by October I.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. 'BULGARIA'S OFFER [TO CAPITULATE HINT OF ALLIES' TERMS ANXIETY AND GLOOM IN GERMANY London, September 29. The Bulgarian envoys have arrived at Salonika to disouss the armistice.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' , AUDIENCE TO THE PEACE PARLIAMENTAIRES. (Rec. September 30, 10 p.m. . ; Paris, September 29. General d'Esperev (Generalissimo in the Balkans) gave an audience •to the three Bulgarian Parliamentaires who have arriveil at Salonika to negotiate the armistice.—Aus.-N.Z. .Cable Assn. ACTION BY THE MINISTERIAL BLOC i ■■..•• Copenhagen, September 28. A message from Sofia states that the parties of the bloc have published the following note: "In accord with the parties of tho bloc tho Government has made an official offer of an armistice to our adversaries. 'Ilio parties to the bloc invite the army and population to maintain that military and public discipline so necessary for a happy issue in these) times."—Beuter.

x ALLIED STATESMEN EXCHANGE- VIEWS London, .September 29. Mr. Balfour and Mr. Bonar Law,have conferred with ifr,. Lloyd Georgo concerning Bulgaria. A formal reply will ho made only afttfr consultation with the Allies. Meanwhile Bulgaria has been infornied_ of the general outlines of the Allies' policy, which precludes any suspension Inifitary operations. It is pointed out regarding eventual negotiations for a; separate peace that military guarantees must be secured against Austro.-Gpi'niau aid to Bulgaria and against any Bulgarian attempt to react against too Entente's operations in the Balkans. The Paris newspaper "Libqrto" states that the Allies ard considering .1 French proposal regarding a joint reply to Bulgaria. Mr. LloVd George and M. Clemonceau have exchanged views on' the question, and arp in coniplete concord.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. \ ■ FORECAST OF ALLIES' REPLY (Bee. September 30, 7.35 p.m.) London, September 29. The "Morning Post" indicates th at tho Allies' reply will stipulate' that Bulgaria's complete submission to the will of tho Entente Powers imisj^precede any cessation of hostilities. The Entente's terms ■concerning military guarantees will include the immediate surrender of the Bulgarian arpiies and also tho evacuation of the occupied territories as a preliminary to any discussion of peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ; A RECENT ALLIED UNDERSTANDING ON THE SUBJECT. Paris, September 29. The usually well-informed "Petit pwisien" hints -that the Alliesireeently came to an understanding as to the conditions they would impose \ in the 'vent of Bulgaria making concrete prop-.sals for peace. No doubt iGeneral O'Esperev will demand ns a necessary preliminary a guarantee of the dis•irmnmenV of the Bulgarian Army and tho surrender of tho railways,'-to prevent'the possibility-of treachery. It is understood that Malinoff's proposal is due to fear of being forestalled by Turkey.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Astu PRESS COMMENT \ POSSIBLE TERMS DISCUSSED. 1 London, September 2)j Tho "Manchester Guardian" states that presumably tho Allies will rfridily grant Bulgaria an armistice on terms, but they cannot at this stage majco a definitivo peaco as tho necessary territorial adjustments must await I'lie Reneril European settlement. The Allies might guarantee Bulgaria as a tcrritori'ii- minimum her 1914 frontiers, on condition that Bulgaria demobilises mid hands over her artillery, arms, and ammunition, and allows tihe

Allies tfte- free use of Bulgarian territories for their operations against Turkey andl Austria-Hungary. This would enable the Allies to launch a direct attack uyon Constantinople, which tlio Turks would be unable to withstand, J and they ,would have to ask for an armistice. Austria-Hungary, the paper i continues;, is not prepared morally or materially to defend a. new front ex- j tending Wo whole length of its northern and western frontiers, in Serbia.-; ! especially,; as the Slavs inhabiting the adjoining Austro-Hungariau torritor- j ies are in r state of semi-revolt. Austria-Hungary would soon collapse under tho additional strain. It is little wonder that MalinofF's action has aroused j intense emotion hi Germany.—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. j

PANICKY ARTICLES IN THE; ENEMY'S NEWSPAPERS -j DEMAND FOR PLAIN SPEECH. . | (Roc. September 30,11.30 p.m.) ■•• • j ' ' ' Amsterdam, September 29. -The GermUn neWspapers are most nervous regarding Bulgaria, and urge I the- nation to keep calm ( in this fateful hour. Tlio "LokaL Anzeiger" de- \ clares that communication with Constantinople must be maintained at all I costs. '■ j "Vorwaorts" saya: "In addition to, the Bulgarian Cabinet's-, prorEutenie/ ,j sentiments, there is an extraordinary and-ardent desire for peace'on- tho part j of the people, whose i food for- months- has been crumbling .and indigestible-■ ' maize bread." After referring to the possibility of a Gerniau collapse on- the : ! Western front, tihe paper concludes: "The hour has arrived to speak plainly-, j It is rio longer a< question o£ conquests but of' obtaining peaco without un- j bearable burdens. The Government mu st do its, utmost to come to. the con- I ference table- at tine speediest moment."The "Noue Fiieie Pnvrae" , (Vienna) says: "Austria has taken steps to-en-sure reinforcements reaching the Bulgarians immediately. The retreating; 'BulgarS are. now giptting into touch with the Austrians." > The "Frankfui(ter ZciiungV Vienna correspondent says: "As the result, j of the alarming news from Bulgaria tlio Premier and party leaders are dis- < cussing the- summoning of tile Reichsra.th. It.is rumoured that the Premier I has been ordered to form a coalition Ministry. The Hungarian. Premier has. ; arrived at Vienna.'—Eeuter. . ..... j GERMANY'S HOPELESS PROSPECT i

(Rec. September 30, 11.30 p.m.) ! London, September 29. i The "Cologne Gaeette," commenting on the situation, pessimistically ; points out. that the Allies, with enviable secrecy, have secured a numerical ".j superiority in tanks, man-power, and gun-power. Germany can no longer hope ,J to change this. : \ '] A correspondent, comments: "There is ample evidence of the overwhelm- i ing fear that grips the enemy's commanders. Their man-power and,gun- j power have dwindled since- July as nover before. Still moro important, tieir '■) lnoral lias sunk low, and their only hope of averting the major catastrojjhe i is the finding of a large number of fresh troops. The long campaign has tried -| and tired everyono except the Americans, who overshadow the scene as an. j unknown quantity. Both Franco-British and Germans mutually admit veari- "\ ness."—United Service. . • ■ STATEMENT IN THE REICHSTAG j _____ ■• ■' ■ .-1 ATTEMPT TO GLOSS OVER THE SITUATION. i Amsterdam,. September 29. ' \ Dr. von Hintze, German Foreign Minister, stated in the Reichstag that "•: Germany and Austria were throwing all their available reserves into Bulgaria.. ; The situation, however, remained critical. He endeavoured to convince, thft ,j Beiphstag that the armistice proposal had caused great indignation in. Bui-. ' garia.—Renter. ' ■ ,'"1 """"""™" ' •'•.,) SEKIOUS RIOTS IN BERLIN v j • FEVERISH. DEMAND FOR PEACE. ' i (Reo. September. 30, 7.35 p.m.) . i Amsterdam, September 29., j Travellers from Berlin report that serious riots occurred there on Frir | day. The police and troops quelled the outbreak. The people.are fever- .' j shly demanding peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Gable-Asen.; ; ■■■ \ i ——~ . j CONFLICTS BETWEEN BULGARS AND GERMANS. ', \,j (Rec. September 30, 7.35 p.m.) . ' , j Borne, September 29. ,1 The "Veues Pester Journal" mentions that conflicts have occurred between 1 the Bulgarian and German troops in the Nish district, and there have been ! daily demonstrations at Sofia against King Ferdinand. The supposition is _ ; spreading that Austria is acting behind M. Malinoff's offer.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable ) Assn. ' • __ . .. ' . i AUSTRIA'S ATTITUDE ! September ,30, 10 p.m.) . ;. :.\ Amsterdam, Septembor 29. i Advices from Vienna state that the Austrian Premier has informed , tho I pressmen' that reports of a change in the attitude of Austria-Hungary were ■■ absolutely unfounded.—Reutcr. : . ....'. -j REAL PURPOSE OF AUSTRO-GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS ■ Rome, September 29. : . According to information from Switzerland, the Austrian and German »• \ inforceraents in Bulgaria are intended not to much to assist as to domineer 'j over Bulgaria in. the event of the latter quitting the struggle.—Aus.-N.Z. ~ Cable Assn. ' i REPORTED DEVELOPMENTS IN RUMANIA i Paris, September 2b. \) Swiss reports state that the Germans occupying Rumania have begun to : ■ retreat. The German civil authorities iu Bucharest are hastily "removing j their archives to Persis (? Pitesci). It i-s rumoured, that there has been a -.-' genenl rising of the population in the occupied portions of Rumania.— 1 Reutor. ° : •' j NEW SITUATION REACTS IN TURKEY ! _— ! SERIOUS .EVENTS IMPENDING. . • ' ' ■ \ . Zurich, September 29.' | The Grand Vizier, Talaat Bey, has hast-ened to Constantinople, where , serious events are reported .Cable Assn. Amsterdami.-September 29. ) It is reported that a political conference in Constantinople is discussing j the question of Turkey's requesting an armistice preparatory to negotiating , for peaoe.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . . ■ ,i Borno, September 29. 1 Advices from Sofia state, that Malinoff's supporters suspect that Germany j is promising Talaat Bey concessions prejudicial to Bulgaria.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo. V Assn. • •' ■'•'.- i FERDINAND'S DAUGHTERS IN VIENNA. '.;'■ \\ ■■ ' i (Rec. September 30, 7.35 p.m.) - i Amsterdam, September 29. . The daughters of Tsar Ferdinand df Bulgaria have' arrived at Vienna.— ! Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aasn. : i ON THE BATTLEFRONTS I FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. .' ' j London, September 29. ' . ■: A Frenoh Eastern communique states: "There was general progress on \ Iho wholo'Serbian front on Friday, with important captures of prisoners ■' and material. The Allies' left wing broke down the resistance of the enemy -\ still holding out between Lakes Presba and Ochridii and north-west of Mon- ' astir. They have passed Kriishevo on a wide, front, and are advancing upon • Kicevol. In the centre, the Serbians, who entered V.eles at noon, advanced j on tho Karabunistc-Nuduik front to L' 3 mites from Uskub. They have also I reached tho region of Kotehana and Radovista, and pushed the cavalry for- ■' ward in tho Lehovo region to six miles from tho Bulgarian' frontier. The.-j Allies' right Wing occupy the Strumnitza region and are ascending the i iStrumnitza Valley to tlie east. Over 300 gims have been captured since the ' beginning of the , offensive."—Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . j ———— . , .'...- J THE SERBIAN' REPORT. J . 'i London, September 29. -, { A Serbian official communique states: "We havo taken Mount Plashkavitza (east of Ishtip), and are approaching Caravofelo and Saint Nicholas. We are now northward of Veles, and there are big fires round Uskub. The Serbians alone have captured IGO guns up to to-day."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.Reuter. ■ . . j . THE ITALIAN ADVANCE j (Pee. September 30, 7i35 p.m.) j London, September 29. i An Italian ofScinl report states:—"We advanced across the rugged mas- .■] sif of Mount Baba, and broke strong resistance- by the. enemy's rearguards i in the region westward of'Knislievo. Wo contiiiued our fpnvard. march ! astride tho Krushcvo road and occupied Fribiltsi. and Kocista."—Aus.-N.Z. ■! Cable Assn.-Reutor. j ~~ .'■ i . , MENACE ON AUSTIUAN FLANK. 'l (Rec. September 30, 7,35 p.m.) ..- , I Amsterdam, September. 29. \ Reports from well-informed Austrian sourcos stato that Austria ie im-, i mediately withdrawing her troops from Albania, osing to the menace on her | flank.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ...-.■!